Speak for the Dead Deliver a No-Frills Punk Gut Punch on Their Self-Titled Debut!

Speak for the Dead have released their full-length album. The band formed in 2024 by lifelong collaborators Jordie Hilley and Clay Prieto, and reflects decades of underground punk and hardcore credibility. Hailing from Santa Rosa, California, they carry a raw, street-level punk ethos rooted in lived experiences rather than nostalgia. The lineup brings together seasoned musicians from bands like Resilience, Hatchet, Thought Vomit, and Z-Method, giving the project immediate weight and authenticity. Their sound sits at the intersection of Motörcharge, d-beat, hardcore punk, and thrash, channeling urgency over polish. Influences like Discharge, Motörhead, Inepsy, Power Trip, and Tragedy are evident but never feel imitative. Speak for the Dead position themselves as unapologetically anti-authority, socially aware, and fiercely independent. The band’s identity balances aggression with purpose, offering punk as both protest and release.

Speak for the Dead

"Speak for the Dead unleash raw, veteran-driven punk with zero polish and maximum intent."

Their self-titled album serves as a manifesto rather than a debut, announcing intent with confidence and conviction. “Whatever It Takes…” opens the album with blistering speed, setting a confrontational tone rooted in survival and defiance. “The World We Know” expands on themes of disillusionment, reflecting societal decay through sharp, urgent lyricism. “Fighting in the Pit” captures the physicality of punk culture, being both musically relentless and lyrically confrontational. “Rearview Riot” leans heavily into hardcore punk aggression, addressing unrest, memory, and the inability to escape past damage.

“Headwound” explores internal conflict, pairing crushing riffs with a sense of psychological unrest. “Take Back the Streets” functions as a rallying cry, pushing collective resistance through fast-paced, street-level punk energy. “Lights Out” shifts in structure, blending rock and roll swagger with punk grit, offering a unifying moment on the record. “Dread” and "Eternal Night” dive into darker emotional territory, balancing existential fear with sonic ferocity. Across the album, vocals remain raw and commanding never overproduced. The album maintains intensity without feeling repetitive, thanks to subtle shifts of tempo and structure.

Test the melody down here:

Discover more such similar tracks on our Testing Rock playlist: